Ala Moana Bowls Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s coming up for Ala Moana Bowls. The next 16 days are a mixed bag, but we’ve got a few moments where it might just line up.

Right from the start, we’re looking at a bit of a rough patch. The first week is dominated by a strong, persistent trade wind blowing cross-offshore at 25 mph, which keeps the surface clean but the wind is pumping. The swell is all short-period, windswell stuff, around 6ft to 7ft, but the energy is moderate to strong (893 to 1115). The problem is the quality; the wave comment calls it "poor" or "marginal" for the first few days. Saturday the 1st of August sees the swell bump up to 10ft, but that’s big and raw with an 8-second period—not the kind of wave that’s going to be user-friendly. That’s more for the experts, and even then, it’s not looking great. The wind stays strong, and the scores are low.

The wind does ease up a bit from the 4th of August, dropping to a 9 mph gentle breeze, and we start to see a longer 11-second period, which is a positive sign. The swell drops to 5ft – 5ft, and the energy is moderate (653). The “marginal” tag is still there, but it’s a step in the right direction. This pattern of similar, modest conditions continues through the 5th and 6th, with the wind picking back up but the swell staying small and weak.

The real standout, the one you’ve been waiting for, comes in the second week. Look at the 10th of August. The swell direction shifts to the SSW, and the period jumps to a very long 16 seconds—that’s proper groundswell. The height is small, only 3ft, but the energy is still moderate (779). The wind is still a cross-off at 16 mph, which will keep it clean. This is the kind of long-period energy that Bowls loves. It’s a reef, so it’ll handle the long period just fine, offering those long, lined-up walls. The crowd factor is "often" here, so expect company, but the quality will be worth it.

That same long-period, south-southwest swell continues through the 14th and 15th of August. On the 14th, the wind goes glassy, dropping to 3 mph, with a period of 19 seconds. The wave comment actually says "expect good surf conditions" for the first time. The swell is tiny at 2ft, but with that energy (490) and glassy conditions, it could be a sneaky good session if you’re on the right board. The 15th looks similar with a 16-second period and a light breeze, another solid option.

Overall, the best bet is the window from the 10th of August onwards, with the glassy conditions on the 14th being the absolute highlight. But remember, it’s long-range, so don’t set your watch by it just yet. The first week you’ll be battling the wind, but the second week has some real potential.

- Rusty

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